Abstract
In 2008, the FDA issued a warning regarding antiepileptic drugs that may cause suicidal tendencies in patients with epilepsy. This statement was received in a rather different way by academics, researchers and clinicians. Specifically, the present review sought to analyze the current situation and knowledge regarding suicidal behavior in people with epilepsy, identifying its prevalence, and the risk factors present in patients. The review is based on scientific papers, published in international data bases. It was found that the prevalence of suicidal conduct in the epileptic patient is diverse but clearly higher than that of the general population. Among the medical risk factors, antiepileptic drugs and the specific type of epilepsy were clearly and widely identified as major predictors of suicidal tendencies. On the other hand, psychological risk factors such as history of mental illness, anxiety, depression and previous suicide attempts proved to be the most significant. There are, clearly, fewer social and cultural risk factors, and their link with suicide is still a matter of controversy. Evidence shows that suicide happens in epilepsy patients. These people must be of the upmost concern for all healthcare professionals and providers.
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